Friday Fun…Pets and Showings!

Good morning, Kathy... I listed a property many years ago in NY City that had some sort of reptile. I told the seller he had to contain it when we had showings and put it in the closet. 

I recall checking the dark basement of a foreclosure and there was a dead cat on the floor. It pays to have a good flashlight in this business.

Thanks for sharing Kathy!!! I had my share of trouble with pets on showings!!!

I think most of us here love our pets. However…as agents, stagers, lenders, and inspectors, the non-human occupants can be troublesome.

Kathy- As a landlord, I have had two different applicants who wanted me to rent to them; one had a snake, the other had a rabbit.  As a listing agent, I have not run into the issue on wrote about in your post. Thanks for sharing.   Joe

Kathy, We once listed a home where the owner kept chickens and had a custom doggie screen door to let them in and out!

I try to tell sellers, it is nothing against your dog. We do not want buyers to pay any attention to anything EXCEPT your house. 

Parrots that speak can be a problem, especially when they are foul mouthed! A friend bought a house that used to breed snakes, they redeveloped it and found multiple snake skins behind the walls....that was a discovery that his wife did not enjoy!

Hi Kathy,
My worst experience with pets in real estate was the horrible smell in some homes. I don't see how people can live like that.

Rarely did our sellers not listen to our 'pet advice'.   But I do recall in one of my first years in the business I was showing higher end homes in the County Club and low and behold there were 3 (count em) 450lb Pot Belly Pigs.  We never laughed so hard in our life after getting out of that house.  And to think I actually called the listing agent to ask if there were any pets.  I wrote a post about that a long time ago.  I think I'll bring it back up for the holiday weekend fun!  Great post Kathy!

Hi Kathy,

I think sellers now really get that their furry friends and pets need to be gone for showings. Too many people have allergies now and with the market slower definitely need to do everything possible to attract buyers and keep them in the house for showings!

Yes, in one home there were aquariums in the attic with snakes and mice (in different aquariums)!

This is such an important issue to discuss with your Sellers. While we do love our pets, during showings, they can truly take away from the experience. Great tips.

Kathy, you would have FREAKED!  I showed a home to a couple, and wondered why the master bath door was closed.   Then looked into the soaker tub, and the largest snake I have ever seen was in the water.   I almost ran over my clients to get out of that bathroom!  I hate snakes too.

Thanks for sharing this fun and honest look at how pets can really spice up a showing, Kathy Streib! I appreciate your relatable stories and the reminder to keep things distraction-free—pets included 😄. Always enjoy your insights!

Hi Kathy Streib 

    Some "Pet stories" that come to mind include a Buyer who was very pleased when we saw the house... until we went into the backyard, and saw a large doghouse.  The dog was not there (smart Seller had taken it somewhere during the showing), but the name "Satan" was painted over the dog house door in large red letters.  The Buyer was a very religious man, he shook his head and said, "I want no part of this. Let's go."

   The other was an MLS listing that said "don't let the cat out".  When I opened the front door, the cat shot out of there like a rocket!   I spent a couple of hours coaxing that kitty back inside.  I was a new agent, I felt that I was obligated to retrieve the cat. When I got back to the office, my Broker informed me that "NO!  That was not your problem!"    Since then, I will either refuse to show such a listing, or I will give fair warning that I am not responsible if the cat (or dog) runs out the door.

For the most part, I think that your hunch is correct, but I am not much of a pet guy myself, haha.

Hi Kathy:

I've not listed a home with a snake as a "pet" but have been in a couple of properties where snakes were in residence, thankfully contained. I also recall one house I was previewing years ago that had several tarantulas in a big aquarium. I didn't stay long.

I love those listings that warn us to be careful of the cat or dog and not let them out during a showing!

Jeff

Kathy I have never understood why Sellers leave pets in the house during showing.  It is a distraction as well as possibly dangerous.

Great post.  Thanks.

First thing that came to mind was a staging consult I did many years ago. I was greeted at the door by 6 or 7 barking little dogs. The owner said not to worry...they were "all bark and no bite." Throughout the consultation, whenever one of them would get on the furniture she would shoot them with a water gun. 

It really was insane. It took all I had not to laugh.